‘Nursery schools’ for avians open

July and August signify a time when many resident bird species in Chennai and surrounding areas go through a rite of passage with the juveniles among them having to flap their way to independence. Tracking a few young birds that are getting accustomed to being on their own, while also mastering group behaviours

Humans are uniquely privileged to act juvenile throughout their lifetime, hanging forever on their parents’ coattails. Ticking only to a biological clock, the avian nest allows no room for this indulgence. There are only short windows within which to bond and breed, feed and foster and move on to raising the next brood. The young are forced to be fast learners, often having to rough it out. In Chennai and surrounding areas, the month of July and August mark a rite of passage for many resident bird species, with their juveniles flapping towards independence. Meet some of these youngsters who have enrolled in the nursery classes for this avian academic year in Sholinganallur, Pallikaranai and Perumbakkam.